Introduction

The arts in education are currently the subject of considerable controversy. Some people argue that fostering creativity in schools is important; that the arts can provide a substantial contribution to the development of the capacity for creative thought and action; and that therefore the arts should be well represented at all levels of the school curriculum. Some argue that the education system, in fact, leaves pupils incomplete, stultified and uncreative. Others argue that it is the processes of teaching and learning in the arts which are at fault because they are too passive. This book surveys the different sides of the debate and goes on to report on original research which examines just how the arts are taught in schools. It thereby makes a considerable contribution to the debate which has hitherto been incomplete due to a lack of evidence.